BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The formula that was so successful during the regular season pulled Opelousas Catholic one game closer to the state softball tournament Tuesday afternoon.
Pitching and defense once again combined to provide the top-seeded Vikings with a victory, this time during a 3-0 regional round Division IV select playoff game at Scotty Speyrer Memorial Field.
OCS junior Ashley Little was dominant inside the circle, striking out 14 Cedar Creek batters, while the Vikings’ defense was flawless and assisted in diffusing two Cougars’ bases loaded scoring opportunities.
The Vikings are scheduled to host No. 9 Ouachita Christian later this week. The winner of that game advances to the state tournament.
Offensively OCS produced five hits, which were sufficient to overcome the offspeed pitching of Cedar Creek seventh grader Kendall Rainey.
The Vikings took a 1-0 third inning lead and then added two more during a three-hit sixth.
Defensively Vikings’ senior catcher Brooklyn Gerald produced consecutive bases loaded, seventh-inning foul ball catches against-the-backstop for the final outs of the game, while OCS right fielder Madison Ludeau and center fielder Kaydence Faul avoided a mid-contest collison as Ludeau gloved a potential multiple-base hit.
Cedar Creek, seeded No. 17, also featured a defensive highlight as Cougars’ center fielder Olivia Underwood denied a probable Alexis Lafleur sixth inning home run, as Underwood backed up and made the first out catch as the ball rose towards the top of the outfield fence.
What The Coaches Said
OCS softball coach Cullen Matherne explained that his team did what was necessary.
“We didn’t play our best game. Cedar Creek had a very young pitcher and they are a good team that does all the little things well,” Matherne said.
Rainey managed to keep OCS off balance with her pitch repertoire.
Despite her apparent dominance, Little had to extricate herself from two bases loaded situations.
Little hit one third inning batter and then surrendered a pair of base hits before striking out the next two Cougars. Then in the seventh Little walked two and hit another batter before Gerald bailed the Vikings out with her backstop catches.
“I think at times Ashley was probably trying a little too hard,” said Matherne.
Cedar Creek softball coach Julie Riser said her game plan was to reduce the velocity of pitches thrown to the Vikings.
“They (OCS) have some good hitters and off-speed gave us our best chance,” Riser said.
On nine occasions OCS either created a fly-ball out or popped up.
